There is a clause in place that would allow Forest to break their record again, as they will have the first option to sign winger or forward Goncalves permanently at the end of the season.

There is no transfer fee agreed as part of that clause, but Benfica currently value the player at 20m euro.

Diogo Goncalves and Joao Carvalho have joined Nottingham Forest from Benfica

Goncalves has arrived at the City Ground aiming to secure that permanent move to England, while both 21-year-old players have been won over by Aitor Karanka’s ambitions to lead the club into the Premier League.

It is a strong statement of intent from the Reds, who are set to back Karanka strongly in the transfer market this summer.

They have already signed Michael Dawson from Hull City and are working to add five or six further new additions during the summer.

Although they have each only notched up a handful of first-team appearances, they do have Champions League experience under their belts and have represented Portugal at Under-21 level.